REGAL CLYDE STEAMERS and what became of them

The era of the Clyde steamer began in August 1812 with the first successful commercial steamboat service in Europe, when Henry Bell’s Comet began a passenger service on the River Clyde between Glasgow and Greenock. By 1900 over 300 Clyde Steamers were operating, and day-tripping was in full swing to the 1960s.

Steamer trips aimed at holidaymakers involved a stop at Helensburgh, bringing passengers to Bell’s Baths Hotel as one of the attractions, and soon